Benefits of storing data in a recognised data centre

Improves data security

• Reduces the risk of data loss
• Provides early stage back-up and long-term data archiving

Enhances data quality and access

• Facilitates better calibration and validation procedures
• Provide easier access to co-sampled data

Ensures data acknowledgment and understanding

• Protects intellectual efforts and retains recognition for data providers (see http://www.iode.org/datapublishing)
• Provides detailed information on data and methodologies
• Trains young scientists on good data collection and management practices

Be involved in an international network

• The IMBER IPO has initiated a metadata portal http://gcmd.nasa.gov/portals/imber/ for IMBER-related projects. Through this facility, researchers can obtain and identify information and data from other projects
• Access to related data will aid in linking of individual data sets and promoting scientific collaboration